
Happy May 4th everyone, and may the 4th be with you. Today is a great day to celebrate Star Wars and what better way than to buy Star Wars merchandise and games at prices so low they’re almost free. For the next several days, Steam and GOG are discounting all of their Star Wars games. Some are great, and others are Bantha dung. Ok, maybe they’re not that bad, but some are definitely better than others. If you want some advice on which games to buy during this week-long sale, this is the list you’re looking for.
Pinball FX2 – Star Wars
Pinball FX2 is a great game that includes both original and licensed boards, and the developers excel at creating digital pinball cabinets that can’t exist in the real world, especially ones with complex set pieces. The Star Wars cabinets are some of the game’s best boards, due to a combination of pitch-perfect music and sound effects, engaging visuals, and challenging-yet-rewarding gameplay. At the end of the day, the Star Wars pinball is still just a pinball game, but it is one of the best pinball games you will ever play. The cabinets range from $1.49 to $5 on Steam, and although they are technically DLC, Pinball FX2 is free to play. Also, Pinball FX2 includes a limited demo of each board, so you can test them before you buy them.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 1 and 2
Now, before you grab your pitchforks and torches, I would like to point out that these games were designed to make players feel like absolute bad-asses as they use The Force to plow through enemies as if they were wet cardboard. On that front, the games succeeded. Sure, the stories weren’t great; and The Force Unleashed II could have been longer, but the gameplay in both games is top notch and makes players feel like unstoppable Sith juggernauts. Plus, they’re only $5 each on Steam, so you really don’t have much to complain about. Also, the first game has an Easter egg of Jar Jar Binks frozen in carbonite. If that cathartic incentive doesn’t interest you, I don’t know what will.
Lego Star Wars Series
Warner Bros. and TT Games have a good thing going for them with the Lego games; they are fun and easy puzzle-platformers that revolve around breaking everything in sight and using the remains to build something new. The Lego games cover a wide variety of licenses and have their own quirky humor. These games are perfect for kids or gamers who want something to wind down with, and the Star Wars Lego games might be the best Lego games available; they set the bar for Lego and see the most gameplay innovation. Each Lego Star Wars game is on sale for $5 only on Steam.
Star Wars Republic Commando
I would not be surprised if you never heard about this game, but rest assured that Star Wars Republic Commando is worth your time. Republic Commando is a tactical team-based FPS game that places you in the role of one of the Republic’s Clone Troopers during the Clone Wars. Not only does it give gamers a fresh perspective in the Star Wars universe, it does so with slick gameplay and memorable characters. Despite what you might think, this game is not a modern military FPS game; going at it alone will get you killed, so try to use your teammates’ abilities wisely. Star Wars Republic Commando is currently $2.49 on both Steam and GOG, but modern graphic cards have a problem with the game. I recommend downloading and installing a fan patch before playing.
Star Wars Jedi Knight Series
What started out as a good DOOM clone turned into the epic tale of mercenary-for-hire Kyle Katarn, as he transforms into a fully fledged Jedi over the course of several games. Each game is a standalone experience, but I highly recommend playing them all (and in order) to see Katarn’s full story arc, complete with pixelated cutscenes and gloriously cheesy live-action FMVs. Even though the last game in the Jedi Knight franchise, Star Wars Jedi Knight – Jedi Academy, stars a different character, Jedi Academy serves as the final act of Katarn’s story, now that he accepts his role as Jedi teacher. You can buy the Jedi Knight games individually on Steam or GOG for $0.75-$2.49 per game, or you can buy them in a $5 bundle on Steam only. While the bundle is not available on GOG, that might be for the best; the cheapest game, Star Wars Jedi Knight – Mysteries of the Sith, is not available on GOG, and many Steam reviews report serious compatibility and crashing problems. Still, you might be one of the lucky ones who gets the game running flawlessly.
Star Wars Battlefront 2
It’s what everyone wanted from the 2015 Star Wars Battlefront game. Star Wars Battlefront 2 actually has a single player mode, and the multiplayer mode consists of, large, open battlefields populated by countless soldiers and heroes from the primary Star Wars trilogies. Furthermore, Battlefront 2 gives players access to various classes and rideable vehicles, both features missing from the 2015 Battlefront. Not much else needs to be said other than it’s $2.49 on both Steam and GOG.
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 1 and 2
Everyone saw this coming from less than twelve parsecs away: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 1 and 2 are the best Star Wars games ever made and set the bar for BioWare. The graphics might look a tad dated; but the gameplay mechanics and combat are still as solid as ever, and the storytelling and the characters are among BioWare’s best. Both games are available on Steam and GOG for $2.49 each and easily give you the most bang for your buck out of any deal.
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